Regional rural development programme
(Spain)
Programa de desarrollo rural de la región de Murcia (Spanish)
Description
Regional development programme to protect natural resources and stimulate rural economies.
Aims / objectives: The objective of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) is to assist farmers who have to deal with difficult environmental conditions (drought, steep slopes) to apply sustainable farming practices either in the implementation phase or for maintenance. The programme is carried out to: 1) improve the socio-economic conditions of rural areas; 2) prevent land abandonment, and 3) prevent on-site and off-site damages caused by land degradation and erosion. To achieve these objectives, the RDP identifies different lines of action: 1) compensate for difficult natural conditions; 2) fight against erosion; 3) reduce farming intensity; and 4) promote ecological agriculture.
Methods: The main method used in the RDP is through subsidies of farming practices following a cross-compliance principle. Each line of action implies a combination of conservation measures that are subsidised, but only when applied in combination. Hence, single conservation measures outside of these lines of action are not subsidies.
Role of stakeholders: The level of the subsidy is based on estimated implementation and maintenance costs and possible loss of productivity caused by the conservation measures. These values were obtained after consultation of various stakeholder groups including farmer organisations with agricultural cooperatives. However, because of limited resources, not all farmers will receive subsidies for the conservation measures. Priority is given to: 1) farmers who have 50% of their land within the Nature 2000 network, a European wide network of protected areas for the preservation of habitats and threatened species; 2) farmers with >50% of their land in unfavourable zones; and 3) farmers who did not receive subsidy in previous RDPs.
Other important information: Furthermore, areas with slopes of more than 20% are not subsidised in this programme since it is recommended that no agriculture takes place in these areas. Instead, reforestation of these areas is subsidised. RDPs are developed for a period of 7 years. Every seven years, a new RDP is defined and priorities and levels of subsidies can change. The present RDP is valid for the period 2007-2013.
Location
Location: Guadalentín basin, Spain, Murcia, Spain
Geo-reference of selected sites
Initiation date: 2007
Year of termination: n.a.
Type of Approach
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traditional/ indigenous
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recent local initiative/ innovative
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project/ programme based
Discussion in a workshop on the usefulness of soil conservation measures and the need for agricultural subsidies. (Joris de Vente)
Discussion in a workshop on the usefulness of soil conservation measures and the need for agricultural subsidies. (Joris de Vente)
Approach aims and enabling environment
Main aims / objectives of the approach
The Approach focused mainly on SLM with other activities (Socio-economic development of rural areas)
1) improve the socio-economic situation of rural areas; 2) prevent land abandonment; and 3) prevent on-site and off-site damage caused by land degradation and erosion.
The SLM Approach addressed the following problems: The main problems addressed by the approach are low income and low productivity of farmers in rural areas, subsequent land abandonment, and erosion and land degradation processes causing on-site and off-site damage.
Conditions enabling the implementation of the Technology/ ies applied under the Approach
Conditions hindering the implementation of the Technology/ ies applied under the Approach
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Social/ cultural/ religious norms and values: The problem is not always recognised by everyone and certain practices are cultural.
Treatment through the SLM Approach: Information and training by the regional extension services and the agricultural organisations.
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Availability/ access to financial resources and services: Many technologies require an investment and maintenance, or even reduce productivity because they occupy land
Treatment through the SLM Approach: A subsidy equal to the loss of productivity and implementation and maintenance costs.
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Knowledge about SLM, access to technical support: Some technologies require establishment of vegetation cover, which is difficult under arid conditions.
Treatment through the SLM Approach: Advice about which vegetation types to use and subsidy to cover the implementation costs.
Participation and roles of stakeholders involved
Stakeholders involved in the Approach and their roles
What stakeholders / implementing bodies were involved in the Approach? |
Specify stakeholders |
Describe roles of stakeholders |
local land users/ local communities |
Farmer organisations (agricultural cooperatives)
Traditionally land users and agricultural activities are dominated by men |
The focus of the approach is on the socioeconomic situation of farmers with a relatively low income and under marginal conditions. |
SLM specialists/ agricultural advisers |
Research institutes |
|
local government |
regional ministry of agriculture |
|
national government (planners, decision-makers) |
Part of the subsidies are paid directly by the national government |
|
international organization |
Part of the subsidies are paid through the EU feader programm |
|
Involvement of local land users/ local communities in the different phases of the Approach
none
passive
external support
interactive
self-mobilization
initiation/ motivation
Petitions towards policy makers and farmers organizations to pay attention for production under difficult environmental conditions
planning
Land users were sporadically consulted through farmers organizations and participated in protest meetings against initial versions of the RDP that they considered insufficient regarding payments for the agricultural sector
implementation
Land users implemented SLM technologies themselves with help from technicians of regional government and farmers organisations
Flow chart
To be fit for purpose, since 2007 the RDPs are designed at the regional level using advice from scientific institutes. The boundary conditions regarding the overall environmental and economic objectives and available finances are received from the European and national level. The regional extension services have a role in the dissemination of information and control of correct implementation of measures by farmers.
Decision-making on the selection of SLM Technology
Decisions were taken by
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land users alone (self-initiative)
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mainly land users, supported by SLM specialists
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all relevant actors, as part of a participatory approach
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mainly SLM specialists, following consultation with land users
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SLM specialists alone
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politicians/ leaders
Decisions were made based on
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evaluation of well-documented SLM knowledge (evidence-based decision-making)
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research findings
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personal experience and opinions (undocumented)
Technical support, capacity building, and knowledge management
The following activities or services have been part of the approach
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Capacity building/ training
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Advisory service
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Institution strengthening (organizational development)
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Monitoring and evaluation
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Research
Capacity building/ training
Training was provided to the following stakeholders
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land users
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field staff/ advisers
Form of training
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on-the-job
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farmer-to-farmer
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demonstration areas
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public meetings
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courses
Subjects covered
The technical conditions needed for control were explained to technicians. Training to land users was not provided directly, though advice can be obtained through agricultural organisations and extension services.
Advisory service
Advisory service was provided
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on land users' fields
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at permanent centres
Agricultural extension services (Oficina Comarcal Agrari; Key elements: advice, control
Advisory service is inadequate to ensure the continuation of land conservation activities; There is more information and awareness building required for land users. Information is often only available at political/research level and the level of the agricultural cooperatives but not at farm level.
Institution strengthening
Institutions have been strengthened / established
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no
-
yes, a little
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yes, moderately
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yes, greatly
Describe institution, roles and responsibilities, members, etc.
Type of support
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financial
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capacity building/ training
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equipment
Further details
Information to agricultural cooperatives
Monitoring and evaluation
bio-physical aspects were ad hoc monitored by government through measurements; indicators: farm visits, sampling of soils for chemical parameters
technical aspects were ad hoc monitored by government through measurements; indicators: farm visits to control the actual implementation of SLM measures
economic / production aspects were ad hoc monitored by land users through measurements; indicators: comparing production between years
area treated aspects were regular monitored by government through observations; indicators: farm visits and mapping with GIS tools
no. of land users involved aspects were regular monitored by government through observations; indicators: documentation of all farmers who participate in the subsidy programme
There were several changes in the Approach as a result of monitoring and evaluation: RDP's are evaluated and redefined every 7 years.
There were several changes in the Technology as a result of monitoring and evaluation: RDP's are evaluated and redefined every 7 years.
Research
Research treated the following topics
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sociology
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economics / marketing
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ecology
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technology
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geography
Results from national and international research projects of the last decades were used as well as experimental results from regional and national research institutes like the IMIDA and CSIC.
Research was carried out both on station and on-farm
Financing and external material support
Annual budget in USD for the SLM component
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< 2,000
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2,000-10,000
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10,000-100,000
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100,000-1,000,000
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> 1,000,000
Precise annual budget: n.a.
Approach costs were met by the following donors: international (EU FEADER programme): 41.0%; government: 10.0%; local government (district, county, municipality, village etc): 49.0%
The following services or incentives have been provided to land users
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Financial/ material support provided to land users
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Subsidies for specific inputs
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Credit
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Other incentives or instruments
Financial/ material support provided to land users
Subsidies are provided by the regional ministry, state and EU programmes.
partly financed
fully financed
agricultural: seeds: fertilizers
Labour by land users was
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voluntary
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food-for-work
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paid in cash
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rewarded with other material support
Impact analysis and concluding statements
Impacts of the Approach
No
Yes, little
Yes, moderately
Yes, greatly
Did the Approach help land users to implement and maintain SLM Technologies?
Awareness and motivation to apply SLM amongst land users has increased due to the approach.
Did the Approach empower socially and economically disadvantaged groups?
Because of the approach the economic situation of farmers in marginal areas is slightly improved.
Did other land users / projects adopt the Approach?
RDPs are developed for all regions in Spain, and need approval from national government and from the EU.
Main motivation of land users to implement SLM
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increased production
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increased profit(ability), improved cost-benefit-ratio
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reduced land degradation
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reduced risk of disasters
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reduced workload
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payments/ subsidies
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rules and regulations (fines)/ enforcement
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prestige, social pressure/ social cohesion
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affiliation to movement/ project/ group/ networks
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environmental consciousness
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customs and beliefs, morals
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enhanced SLM knowledge and skills
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aesthetic improvement
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conflict mitigation
Sustainability of Approach activities
Can the land users sustain what hat been implemented through the Approach (without external support)?
Conclusions and lessons learnt
Strengths: land user's view
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All implementation and maintenance costs as well as loss of productivity are subsidised (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: There should be enough funding for all farmers willing to apply the measures, and there should be continuity across RDP’s.)
Strengths: compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
-
The approach is an effort to provide an integrated way of how SLM can be achieved. So no separate measures but a complete SLM plan at the farm level. (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Including more measures in the approach.)
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks: land user's viewhow to overcome
-
There is a lack of organisation amongst land users
Agricultural cooperatives and regional extension services should have a more active role to coordinate activities and communication.
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks: compiler’s or other key resource person’s viewhow to overcome
-
There is a strong lack of land users participation in the design, implementation and training of the approach
Organise stakeholder meetings, information sessions and trainings for land users.
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There is a lack of transparency in communication
Agricultural cooperatives and regional extension services should have a more active role to coordinate activities and communication.
References
Reviewer
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David Streiff
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Deborah Niggli
Date of documentation: Mei 12, 2009
Last update: April 4, 2018
Resource persons
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Joris De Vente (joris.devente@geo.kuleuven.ac.be) - SLM specialist
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Albert Solé Benet (albert@eeza.csic.es) - SLM specialist
Full description in the WOCAT database
Documentation was faciliated by
Institution
- EEZA-CSIC (EEZA-CSIC) - Spain
Project